Complete genome sequence analysis of Sarbecovirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronaviruses) from Zimbabwean insectivorous bats.

ABSTRACT: Bat-borne severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronaviruses (bat SARSr-CoVs), belonging to the Sarbecovirus subgenus of the Betacoronavirus genus pose a potential risk for zoonotic spillover. This study reports the complete genome sequences of bat sarbecoviruses from Nycteris macrotis and Rhinolophus simulator insectivorous bat species in Zimbabwe. Using genome walking and nested PCR approaches, six full viral genomes were amplified, sequenced and assembled: one from Nycteris macrotis (MAG1042) and five from Rhinolophus simulator bats species (MAG388, MAG562, MAG575, MAG850, and MAG859). Comparative genomic analysis revealed a high degree of sequence conservation (99.6-99.9%) among the Rhinolophus simulator-characterised sequences, while the Nycteris macrotis characterised sequence e

SUBMITTER: Chidoti V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12465345 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature